Coffee Brewing Circuit With Independent Heat and Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines lack efficient and precise control over hot water temperature and pressure, leading to suboptimal brewing times and quality, especially when preparing different types of coffee and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a modular pump and heating circuit system that allows for precise control of hot water temperature and pressure, featuring a separate heating line for the brewing device and boiler, enabling independent heating and cleaning operations, and an external heater with temperature sensors for precise temperature measurement and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a pump is used to circulate hot water in the heating circuit, then heating time is reduced and heat transfer is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into a heating circuit with pump and a separate steam generator circuit. The pump circulates water through a heating coil in the brewing device, while the steam generator operates independently. This segmentation allows the brewing device to be heated efficiently without requiring modification of the entire coffee machine system.
Solution Approach 2:
A heating coil acts as an intermediary between the pump-circulated hot water and the brewing device. The hot water flows through the coil, transferring heat to the brewing device indirectly. This intermediary approach enables efficient heat transfer while maintaining system modularity and avoiding direct integration of the pump into the brewing mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate heating lines are provided for brewing device and boiler, then independent heating and cleaning operations are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into separate heating lines: one for the brewing device and another for the boiler/steam generator. This allows independent control and operation of each component, enabling the brewing device to be heated or cleaned without affecting the steam generator, and vice versa.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate heating lines enable multi-functionality: the brewing device can be heated for coffee preparation, the boiler can be heated for steam generation, and either can be cleaned independently using the same water reservoir and pump system. This universal design increases operational flexibility.
3Power
If external heater with jacket is used for boiler, then heating efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A jacket surrounds the boiler as an intermediary heating structure. The external heater heats the jacket, which then transfers heat to the water inside the boiler. This indirect heating method improves efficiency by providing uniform heat distribution around the entire boiler surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system uses composite construction with the jacket made of heat-conductive material surrounding the boiler. This composite structure combines the boiler (for containing water) with the jacket (for efficient heat transfer), creating a system that is both manufacturable and thermally efficient.
4Measurement precision
If pump is used for pressure control by setting speed via computer control, then precise pressure control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computer control system monitors pump speed and adjusts it to maintain the desired water pressure in the brewing device. This feedback mechanism allows precise pressure control by continuously adjusting the pump operation based on actual pressure conditions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical pressure regulation mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces brewing times, ensures optimal temperature and pressure settings for various coffee types, and facilitates efficient automated cleaning, maintaining high water quality and preventing calcification.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, in particular being formed by a heating coil
Implementation Method 2
the heating cartridge is arranged directly in or on the brewing device and is in thermal contact with it, there is a particularly effective and rapid heat transfer to the brewing device
Implementation Method 3
the external heater enables efficient, rapid and precisely predeterminable heating of the hot water in the boiler
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The coffee machine (1) comprises one brewing device (2), a steam inlet (9) and/or one hot water inlet (8) connected to line for supplying water to heating elements (4,14). One circuit is provided for guiding the brewing device, and a pump (13) is arranged in the circuit. The brewing device is connected to a line for discharging the water, and the line for supplying the water. The heating element (14) is connected to the brewing device. An independent claim is included for method for operating coffee machine.